Happy 4th of July, Water Baby Bob!

Dear Bob,

     Yes! Today really 

is the 4th of July! Happy birthday, America! We had a fabulous day!

     First, you were happy because you didn't have to get up at o'dark thirty and spend the day at therapy. So was I. It's kind of nice to have no real schedule for the day. Instead, you had a slow day: slept in and ate a late breakfast.

     You're getting used to walking with a walker around the house. You "walked" into the shower and you tried to shower on your own (of course, I'm always there spotting for safety's sake. Our rule is: NO falls - NO breakage). You've learned to use the grab bars in the shower to support your affected arm/hand so that you can scrub your right side and armpit without them hanging heavily. Gravity pulls your arm down and can result in pulling your arm out of its socket, so you're learning to be more mindful of where your right arm/hand are. Who knew that could be so difficult?

    We went to Sonia's and Jeff's for a family pool party and barbeque, and guess what!  You used your walker to walk into their house (with Jeff and me assisting you) AND hooray! You manage all of their entry steps and shocked Nancy! She didn't know you could get out of your wheelchair, let alone, walk! 

     Then, you were a real risk-taker and allowed Jeff and me to "walk" you into the pool. Yes! We got into the pool! Jeff put a life jacket on you and we supported you on both sides. Although you were anxious about falling,  you trusted us as we guided you down the steps- yes - steps to the ledge. We kept your right arm and hand supported on a noodle. You liked sitting in the shallow end AND you exercised: leg lifts,knee to chest, and arm range of motion exercises. I think you liked it more that exercising at home, maybe because the warm water and the weightlessness felt good on your body. I felt like we were on a vacation because their yard is like a resort and we just soaked up the sun and sat in the beautiful blue water and relaxed without a thought. Just like old times! It was soooooo fun! Thank you, Bob, for trying, and thank you Jeff and Chad for making it happen!

     You had another big step toward independence - - you were able to use the bathroom at Son's and Jeff's even though it's not a universal access bathroom. Before your stroke, we never thought of bathroom accessibility, furniture layout, steps/stairs, door and aisle widths, parking, etc., but now all of those things are huge considerations in our outings. No accessibility, no can do. 

     And the grand finale of the day was watching the Redlands fireworks show on Son's and Jeff's patio deck. Although you were pretty tired because you usually nap in the late afternoon and are in bed by 7:45 pm,  you hung in with us. Jeff pulled out the sofa bed for you around 8 so that you could sleep. But you surprised us by waking up in time to come out on the deck and  watch the fireworks with us. I loved sitting in the cool air and watching the bright lights. But it was really fun watching your open mouthed surprise and delight in your face as the fireworks exploded. It was as if this was your first show - well, maybe we just appreciate life all that much more. It was such a great evening! Thanks, Bob, for sharing the day with me! It was the best 4th ever! I love you, forever!